A real estate ꦉagent hel൩ps people buy and sell real estate. A career as a real estate agent offers many rewards, but you must follow certain steps before becoming an agent. You must take pre-licensing courses, pass the real estate licensing exam, and earn your license.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to become a real estate agent, including tips on looking for a firm and how to become a real estate broker.

Prerequisites to Become a Real Estate Agent

You must meet certain requirements to become a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:real estate agent. While some of the licensing requirements vary by state, the following tend to apply across the country:

• Minimum age requirements: In most states, you must be at least 18 years old to become a real estate agent. Alabama, Alaska, and Nebraska require you to be at least 19.
• Residency: Real estate agents in the United States must be citizens or legal residents.
• Education: You must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent before taking any courses or the exam.
  

Step 1: Take a Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course

The pre-licensing course paves the way to get your real estate license. It gives you the knowledge and skills you need to become a real estate agent. You can register for an in-person class, but online classes are more accessible and convenient. You'll focus on key areas pertinent to real estate, including:

• Fundamental principles
• Financing and ethics
• Real estate contracts
• 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Property law
  

Costs for pre-licensing depend on the state, but the average ranges from $300 to $600. The course must be state-approved. You can find online and in-person real estate schools; your state's website may list schools. Keep in mind that course lengths vary by state. For instance, the licensing course is 75 hours in New Jersey and 45 hours in Wyoming.

Step 2: Pass the Real Estate Licensing Exam

Once you complete the course, you can register for the exam. Although not mandatory, you can take some exam prep, which can cost $50 to $125, depending on where you live. Each state charges a fee to take the exam. You'll pay $15 in New York and $43 in Texas, for example.

The exam is multiple-choice with about 100 to 150 questions, divided into two sections:

• National section: Focuses on general real estate topics, including ownership, property descriptions, liens, and brokerages
• State section: This includes the state rules and regulations where you're taking the exam. You'll come across questions about appraisals, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:property management, property titles, and contract law.

Depending on where you live, you'll need a 70% or 75% to pass your exam. If you fail, you can usually retake the exam after a few days.

Step 3: Activate Your Real Estate License

Passing the exam doesn't automatically qualify you for a license. You must apply for a license with the state for which you took the exam. You must apply through your state's licensing department, submit any required documents, and get fingerprinted if required.

The fee to obtain your initial license varies by state. Applicants are charged $20 in North Dakota and $160 in Idaho, for example.

Once your application is approved, you will receive your license in the mail and you can begin working as an agent. Remember, you must be licensed to sell real estate and must adhere to continuing education (CE) requirements to keep your license active. Check with your state 💎about the required number of hours of CE.

Step 4: Join a Real Estate Brokerage

Joining a real estate brokerage has many advantages. You'll benefit from a team environment with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and mentorship opportunities. Your team can also help you understand the ins and outs of the industry, the process of real estate transactions, and the legal and ethical guidelines you must follow.

When researching firms, be sure to consi💧der the follꦍowing:

• The firm's reputation
• Number of years in operation
• Who is on the team
• The network
• Areas of specialization available

Once you settle on a few, contact the team leaders and discuss the terms, including how they will 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:compensate you and areas for growth.

Step 5: Consider Becoming a Realtor

A real estate agent differs from a realtor, even though both help people with real estate transactions. All realtors are real estate agents, but 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:not all agents are realtors. Realtors are active members of the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:National As𓃲sociation of Real🍬tors (NAR)—the largest real estate association in the Uওnited States.

As a realtor and member of NAR, you gain access to resources and tools to help your clients, including marketing and professional opportunities to enhance your career. However, you must adhere to NAR's ethical codes and standards of practice.

Reasons to Become a Real Estate Agent

Becoming a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:real estate agent offers many benefits, including the following:

• The flexibility to work on your terms and schedule, allowing you to take time off whenever you want and work around other commitments
• Unlimited earning potential, since real estate agents work on commission
• Potential to be your own boss or work with others, depending on if you prefer to work independently or with a broker or agency
• Networking opportunities, since you'll meet many people as an agent, which can expand your professional network and get your name out there for future clients
• No 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:requirement for a college degree, since most states only require a high school diploma or equivalent to become an agent

Career Options for Real Estate Agents

Selling real estate as an agent is just one way you can earn money. There are alternative 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:career paths if selling isn't your forte or you want to make a change. Consider the following options:

• Agricultural, commercial, industrial, or residential brokerage
  
• Home inspector
• Developer
  
• Leasing consultant
• 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Mortgage broker
• Property manager
  
• 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Real estate appraiser
• Real estate counselor
• Real estate researcher
• Urban planner

Keep in mind that you may need some additional education, experience, and/or training. For instance, you may require accounting knowledge to work as an appraiser and must understand 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:zoning laws if you want to work with an industrial brokerage.

The Bottom Line

A 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:career in real estate can be exciting because it comes with many opportunities, including the potential for high commissions and a flexible schedule. If you're considering diving in, it's important to do ample research about your state requirements and the market in your area.